Great weekend coming up in Octoboer

I'm thinking not a ton of folks read this blog - but I'll throw this out there anyway.

On the weekend of Oct. 17-18 -- we will be hosting a Native American Pit Firng at our farm.

The first day, Saturday, involves the preparation of the pit -- adding the sawdust, chemicals, paper, wood, pots, etc. And of couse, the blessing of the pit. Following the lighting of the fire (and the obligatory dancing around the pit - lol) we will head to the front pasture.

There we will raise my newest tipi. Wanna come for the fun?

Also -- on Sunday, the pots will be unearthed from the pit arond 3:00 -- and after that we will end the weekend with a Native American Drum Circle. Bring your drum!

I'm requesting a $5 donation for the event -- so come on down!

Spinning class

Tammy Duensing brought her fiber arts skills to the farm yesterday. She taught a spinning class for 3 ladies - and myself.

This is the second class I've taken from Tammy and it gets better each time. She is very patient, lots of fun, and doesn't make you feel as though you don't know what you're doing. (even when you don't know what you're doing)

I think it'll only take one more class for me to 'get it' -- and then I'll be one of those folks who can demonstrate spinning at events. Who knew?

IL State Fair

"Our State Fair is the BEST State Fair. Don't miss it. Don't even be late." from musical State Fair w/Pat Boone.

How's that for a blast from the past?

Went to the IL State Fair yesterday. Took Amanda, Becca, Bree, Ben and myself.

President Lincoln was there -- all done up in his coat-tails and beard. He looked great and was very accommodating for a photo with Becca.

We saw Amanda'a prize winning parsley. 4th in the STATE isn't too shabby, is it?

We went to the llama show. The kids outdid themselves in the costume contest.

Llamas and their people:

Cindy Loo and the Cat in the Hat
Lance and her/his date: the llama in a prom gown
Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion
A little cowboy and his llama Indian in full headdress.
Alice and the White Rabbit (complete with glasses)

What fun.
It was all downhill from there. While the stands were packed for the kids' portion -- NO ONE wants to see a bunch of adults standing there in a row with llamas -- all groomed to perfection -- one not much different than the other.

Sorry folks, the "show stuff" has got to change if we want to engage new people in this business.

The fair's lemonade was the best ever. The food fantabulous.
Bree got very overtired so perhaps "we stayed too long at the fair." But I'd do it again!

Don't miss it next year!

Life happenings

We make plans. They don't always work out. I traded some white alpaca boys for some llamas (I like alpacas. I LOVE llamas). The folks had a health crisis and had to "give up" the alpacas, so I drove to MO and picked up my alpaca boys and brought them home.

Who knew? So much for downsizing.

Camelid Community 2009

Camelid Community '09 kicked off in Kansas City, MO during the weekend of July 31st to August 2nd with participants from Washington, California, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin representating state and national organizations. Check out the International Camelid Institute website for more information.

Be sure to print out the "Standards of Care" brochure, developed at Camelid Community 2008. It's a great handout for new owners.

The Camelid Community Conference, co-chaired by Barb Baker and Sheila Fugina, included llama and alpaca owners, camelid veterinarians, fiber enthusiasts, Llama and Alpaca Registry representatives and members of the various show divisions in the industry.